The Minerals

Geology of Oisans

The mineral treasures of our region are the product of the rich geological history of the land around us; the creation of the alpine mass, squeezed between the African continent and mainland Europe, its gradual elevation producing the most revered mineral sites, high above the fertile valleys. The history of these mines is the story of the men who first sought out these places deep in the rock, their names resonant for those who share that passion – La Gardette, Chalanches, Brandes, Oulles, Articol, and many others.